2013 Dirty Dozen: Department of Defense

Department of Defense

The Pentagon has a serious pornography problem, and it is doing next to nothing to combat it. In fact, it seems to be embracing pornography. Morality In Media receives a steady stream of comments from servicemen and women and their spouses regarding the widespread availability of pornography in the US Military. In addition, The Military Honor and Decency Act requires the U.S. Department of Defense to remove all sexually explicit materials sold or rented by the exchange services, commissaries and the U.S. Navy ships’ stores. However, the DOD allows pornographic magazines to be sold.

Tell your family and friends about existing obscenity laws and encourage their involvement in insisting these laws be enforced again.

If you’re able to access stores on military bases and these stores are selling pornography, please make a complain to the manager.

Post to the DOD’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

The Laws

The Military Honor and Decency Act requires the U.S. Department of Defense to remove all sexually explicit materials sold or rented by the exchange services, commissaries and U.S. Navy ships’ stores, DOD allows many pornographic magazines to be sold.

Federal obscenity laws, which the U.S. Department of Justice refuses to currently enforce, prohibit distribution of hardcore, obscene pornography on the Internet, on cable/satellite or hotel/motel TV and in sexually oriented businesses and other retail shops. (Learn more)

18 U.S.C. 1461 Mailing obscene matter

18 U.S.C. 1462 Importation or use of a common carrier to transport obscene matter

18 U.S.C. 1464 Broadcasting obscene language

18 U.S.C. 1465 Interstate transportation of obscene matter

18 U.S.C. 1466 Wholesale and retail sale of obscene matter which has been transported in interstate commerce